Epsom Salt Bath

Few things are as comforting as a hot bath on a cold winter night. Immersing the body in warm water can feel like removing a stress jacket at the end of a difficult day. According to the American Cancer Society, "Whole-body heat therapy is being studied for treating metastatic cancer (cancer that has spread). It involves the use of warm blankets, warm water, inductive coils (like those use in electric blankets), or thermal chambers (much like large incubators)."  At Wellness Uprising, we recommend hot Epsom salt baths for maintenance between visits for deep relaxation, grounding energy, releasing debris from the chakras and aura, and to encourage a better night's sleep for improved body functioning.

Did you know that Epsom salt isn't actually salt? It's a naturally occurring pure mineral compound of magnesium and sulfate. Magnesium contributes to the regulation of more than 300 enzymes in the body. Doctors warn that a lack of sufficient magnesium in the body may contribute to hyperactivity, high blood pressure, heart problems and other serious health issues. Sulfate aids the body's ability produce energy, flush toxins and form proteins in brain tissue and joints. An Epsom salt bath soak is considered a safe way to get more magnesium and sulfate into the body. Also, it feels great!

We've recommended this bath to clients for 20+ years to assist with energy cleansing, physical detoxing and to defend against parasites, yeast, bacteria, viruses and toxins. Our recipe is simple, inexpensive and, according to clients, very effective. A few have even reported that this soak has stopped nightmares!

Don't take our word for it. Click here to read Dr. Oz's  multiple uses for Epsom salt for improved health.

Our recipe below can be used as is, or you can add a helpful essential oil like juniper berry or lavender for added calm and relaxation. Try it for yourself and send your testimonial to ReikiByRhonda@me.com. We'd love to know how you feel after treating yourself to this luxuriously healing bath soak.

Caution: Epsom salt relaxes blood vessels and tends to lower blood pressure so this soak should be avoided by people with hypotension (low blood pressure).

Epsom Salt Bath Soak: To a hot bath add 2 pounds of Epsom salt, 16 ounces of hydrogen peroxide and 2-4 tablespoons of baking soda. Immerse the body fully and soak for 20 minutes, frequently sponging areas like the neck, shoulders and back. Allow the body to sweat, releasing stress and toxins. After soaking, drain water from the tub and shower to cleanse the body. 

Recipes to heal and nourish dry skin in cold weather

Though we’re still enjoying moderately warm temperatures in Los Angeles, winter is coming. Cool, dry air and wind can leave skin dry and lifeless, even if you’re naturally oily. Dry skin may also be caused by prolonged use of hot water and a deficiency of vitamins A, B and E. The next time your face appears taut and scaly, try one of these natural remedies.

Banana Avocado Mask:  Restores moisture while beautifying and feeding the skin.

• 1 medium banana (vitamin B6, restores elasticity)
•  ½ avocado (vitamin A, natural exfoliate, removes toxins)
• 1 tablespoon sweet almond oil (vitamin E, reduces wrinkles, restores moisture)
•  1 tablespoon honey (opens pores, removes impurities, moisturizes, naturally protects against UV rays)
• ¼ cup almond milk (same benefits as sweet almond oil)

Blend all ingredients in blender until smooth. Wash and dry face and apply generously. Allow to set for 25-30 minutes. Rinse with tepid water. Pat dry.

The Aloe Vera Face Mask: Naturally heals and protects the skin while nourishing and moisturizing

Start with a fresh washed face. Use a sharp knife or scissors to cut a full leaf from the base of the plant. Cut and discard the pointy end of the leaf. Remove the “teeth” from one side of the fat portion of the leaf, and slice it open lengthwise. Rub the open leaf all over your face. Leave on until completely dry. Rinse with cool water and follow with a moisturizer if necessary.

Beauty expert, Julyne Derrick, raves about this Super Hydrating Facial Moisturizer (www.beauty.about.com).

• ¼ cup extra virgin coconut oil
• ¾ cup cocoa butter
•  2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• Few drops of essential oil (rose, lavender or eucalyptus)

Place ingredients in a small pan and heat until the oils are fully melted. Pour in a small round bowl with a top that fastens and shake vigorously. Apply liberally to face (and body if you like). Gently remove excess with soft, dry washcloth. This mixture also makes an excellent makeup remover.

Using any of these recommended skin treatments will help your face look fresh and youthful all winter long.

The power of no words: talk fasting

Energetically, summer solstice is the perfect energy for bringing what we want from the ether into the material world. But before we create, we must learn to listen with an open heart in order to make room for Spirit to take up residence in the soul and mind.

Dialog between Divine and humans is incessant. If you're not hearing what Spirit is saying to you, it may be time for a talk fast. That's right --- stop talking to tune in to the hum of the Universe. Every waking moment we are either processing the noise around us or creating responsive and reactionary noises of our own. We are sometimes better able to participate in the cosmic conversation with Source while sleeping. Messages leak through in dreams and impressions. Unfortunately, the messages may be lost again when we awaken from the dream and resume conscious living. But when we combine consciousness with silence, we are inviting divinity to speak to us directly and purposefully.

Abstinence from talking is an opportunity for us to transform our lives into vehicles for purposeful change. Listen to what others are really saying to you. Listen to the sounds of nature and life that surround you everyday. Listen to the true beauty and messages in moving and touching music. Listen to God.

There are many wonderful reasons to go on a talk fast:
 

• reconnect with your inner voice
• emotional purging of jealousy, fear, anger, grief and other negative feelings
• enhance peace and serenity
• receive answers to questions about your life
• observe yourself and others doing what you naturally do
• get spiritually grounded and centered
• create a lasting habit of pausing and thinking before speaking
• discover the good in EVERYTHING you are experiencing in your life

Set aside time to plug into this powerful source of insight into the unseen in your world. 

Choose 1 to 4 hours everyday for a week to refrain from speaking. Maintaining a schedule of silence will be like setting an appointment for a conversation with your higher self or God. After a day or two your connection to higher consciousness will occur more quickly and last longer.

The benefits of a talk fast are amplified by healthy eating. Plan to avoid toxins like caffeine, processed foods, sugar, dairy and meats while on your talk fast. The less your mind and body have to focus on digestion, the more energy it has to focus inward and receive clear messages from your higher self.

"Trees are the earth's endless efforts to speak to the listening heaven." ~ Rabindranath Tagore. Spend time around trees and in nature. In religious writings, trees are often viewed as symbols and manifestations of divine knowledge. They possess a grounding energy and ancient wisdom. Trees nurture and nourish mankind in many ways. The beautiful connection between humans and trees is exemplified in Shel Silverstein's timeless children's classic, The Giving Tree.

Drink plenty of calming tea. Chamomile, valerian and lavender teas are excellent for calming the nerves and helping to quiet the spirit. You will find it much easier to quiet the chatter in your mind and bring you into the present.

Journal to bring consciousness to changes in your life as you practice and honor sacred silence. Be conscious of how you choose your words when you do speak to others. Observe how others react to you and how you handle disappointment, pain and negativity throughout your week of talk fasting.

Happy healing.